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Sunday, December 4, 2016

Darling Beast by Elizabeth Hoyt

Since reading Artemis' story in Duke of Midnight, I've been looking forward to finding out more about her brother, Apollo, and to seeing his happily ever after unfold. As expected, Hoyt has penned another wonderful Maiden Lane novel - a fine addition to an unforgettable series. Filled with intrigue, this story involves the hunt for a murderer. Accused of once killing his friends in a tavern, Apollo Greaves, Viscount Kilbourne has been labeled a madman. Freed by his brother-in-law, he now hides away at a pleasure garden, disguised as a gardener who keeps to himself and mute from a beating he once received in Bedlam. But then he meets Lily Stump, an alluring actress who soon makes him long for more as passion begins to erupt whenever they meet. Determined to find the real villain and clear his own name, Apollo stirs up a past that risks putting Lily in danger. Lily's primary objective in life is to protect her son. But when she meets the hulking giant who works in the pleasure garden surrounding the theater where she's now living, her life is thrown into disarray. Initially, she thinks him a fool, for he plays that part well, but as she gets to know him better, she realizes that he's not at all the man he pretends to be. And as their relationship starts to evolve and she discovers that he's an aristocrat - above her in every way - she knows that their romance can't possibly last, least of all when her son's life is threatened. But since love is worth fighting for, perhaps there's a way - one that Lily and Apollo might find if they choose to work together.If you haven't read any of the other books in this series, I strongly advise starting at the beginning. There are eleven books in total so far with the next one on my list being Duke of Sin.